Used in Storytime 9/28/17 ( )

The kindness and light spirit in this story is adorable. The illustrations are so cute and paint the picture of the story being told so well. The book tells of an "anywhere farm". I like that it speaks as if you can take flowers or plants or veggies or fruits anywhere you go, and share it with others because it's so simple to do! I would probably incorporate this into a lesson on rhyming seeing as the book has a little beat to it with the rhymes that the author chose. I think that it could also be tied into a science project about growing your own plant in the classroom! I will definitely be adding this book to the list of ones I want to use in my classroom in the future! ( )

"For an anywhere farm, / here's all that you need: / soil and sunshine, / some water, a seed. / Fat seed or skinny seed, / pointy or round, / tenderly tuck it / down into the ground. / Then you watch and you wait. / You water. You weed. / Your seed will sprout out / at its own seedy speed." And so begins this gentle rhyming tale meant to inspired young people to start gardens wherever they are: in pots in their apartments, on city lots - anywhere and everywhere!

A lovely picture-book celebration of green spaces and community gardens, Anywhere Farm reminds me of such titles as DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan's City Green, or Peter Brown's The Curious Garden, which also advocate turning concrete jungles into greener, healthier, more natural places. The format here makes for an excellent read-aloud, while the artwork, done in mixed media by G. Brian Karas, is cute and colorful, depicting a diverse range of people getting involved in a diverse range of gardening projects. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about gardening and growing things, and about engaging with the wider community around these issues. ( )

planting story time - this would work nicely! text and illustrations perfect together!! ( )

Thanks to Peacegal for alerting me to this book. It’s interesting to read it now because my Goodreads friend Hilary and I were just discussing community gardens/allotments for gardening even when one doesn’t have private space at home to garden.

I loved this book. It’s fun and entertaining and informative.

There is a great message that’s empowering for all kids no matter what their circumstances, and creative ideas are presented for where to plant seeds. (I’m not sure about wanting to use some of them but they do get the imagination going!) The rhyming story is thoroughly enjoyable and its cadence is perfect for reading aloud. I love the variety of produce mentioned.

The illustrations are wonderful. I love the art style, the fun and interesting details, and their inclusiveness. My favorite illustration is the “everywhere” one near the end.

This would have been a favorite book of mine when I was young. I can see reading it over and over as a beginning reader.

Highly recommended for all young children, all families, gardening programs, schools, community centers, and anywhere where they might be people interested in growing food and places where it could be done. Yes, almost anywhere.

Reading this definitely makes my desire to grow some food even stronger than usual, and I think that will be true for many people of all ages.

Delightful picture book for all ages! ( )